Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-20
FOUGHT TO A DRAW.
A TERRIFIC CONTEST BETWEEN KILRAIN
AND SMITH.
Fought on an Island in the Ssine-0ns Hundred aDd
Six Bloody ROunds-DarknesS Prevents
the American From Gaining
Brilliant Victory.

Six Bloody ROunds-Darkness Prevents
the American From Gaining
Brilliant Victory.
LONDON, December 19.-The inter
national contest between Jake kilrain, OF
Baltimore, and Jem Smith, of England,
for the diamond belt and the champion
ship Of the world, took place on the island
of st. Pierre in the river Seine, France, to-
day in the presence of about 100 persons.
There was mo police interference, G. W.
Atkinson was the referee aud performed his
duties with satisfaction 10 all concerned.
Jem Smith was secouned by Jack Balder
and Jack Harper, and was attended by Jem
Howes and Dick Roberts Jake Kilrain was
seconded by Charley Mitchell aud Ned
Donnelly, and was attended by Charley
Rowell. Messrs. Fleming and Harding
acted as time keepers and umpires, The
party lett the Paris ROuen train at the vii
lage of Borsnieres, whence they tIamped
across muddy fields and marshy lands TO
the riSer, wherSt there was steam launch
lying alongside the bank. The party in
cludcd Lord DeClihord, the Marquis OF
Qneensberry, Sir Hugh DrummOud, Hon.
Mr.. Sandys, and Captain Lee Barber.
The launch took all hands on board
and steamed To the scene selected
for the fight. Their great difficulty was
experienced in getting good site for the
ring, on account of the deep mud. An ex
celleut ring WAS pitched. Kilrain fought
at 1S4 lbs. and Smith at $50 lbs, a heavier
weight than he has fOnght at heretofore.
Smiths castor was thrown into the ring
and was Immediately followed by Kill
min's beaver. The fight commenced at
= 1Op. III. 1t was lively and energetic
battle for the first three rouIds-a quick
give and take with close sparring. la the
fourth round kilrain got in giving
Smith smash on the ear which
appeared to stun him. In the wrestling
which formed feature of number of sue
the American. lie had the worst of every
fall, Kilrain each time coming down heav-
ily oD his prOstrate FORM Though Smith
suffered from the falls he fought splendid
ly under great difficulties, and was as
fresh as kilrain when darkness stopped
the fight at 4:j5 One hundred and six
rounds were fought, lasting two and half
hours, when it was declared draw.
APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.
Smith was first to appear on the scene.
The man shook hands and the principals
and their seconds retired TO their respect
i've corners Smith appeared in white
knee breeches and emerald green socks
and looked a perfect Hercules. kilrain
wore black tights and brown socks, and
although in point of muscular development
he compared uufavOrably with his Oppo-
nent, the American had decidedly the ad-
vantage in height, and from head to heel
looked the thorough business like fighter.
The betting was on Smith at the start,
veeriug to kilrain later. There WAS much
wrestling instead of fighting Smith had
the he vt at tho tart mud fnr"sh the fight
ing. Kilraiu had the advantage in wrcst-
ling In the eighteenth round kilrain hit
Smith on the left ear, causing Il swelling
the size of an egg, and knocking him down.
Smiths ear swelling burst TO hia great
relief After the nineteenth round,
Smiths strength returned and he held his
own. lie had the best of the last six
ronnds, both men fighting as quickly and
as strongly as at the start. The referee
ordered that the fight be resumed tO.Tor-
row, hut later Smith and Kilrain express
ed mutual respect for each other, swOre
eternal friendship, agreed 10 consider the
fight draw, and pledged each other to
fight Sullivan. The general opinion is
that the fight was the gamest heavy weight
contest of the present generation.
THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS.
The preponderance of Smiths supporters
justified the laying OF odds on the English
champion. Directly "lime" WAS called
the men responded. The American looked
serious but determined, while Smith wore
his customary smile. The CnlOrs sport
ed by both men were largely
worn by the rival bands OF
spectators, those of kilrain bearing the
stars and stripes, an Irish harp and por-
trait Of himself, while Smith, inside of a
purple border, spOrted the union jack and
the royal standard, surmounted by the
typical, sporting pelican. Both men fought
with remarkable energy aud determina-
tion, and their seconds encouraged them.
Round 1.-The men had no sooner faced
each other than Kilrain led off with his
left and landed lightly on the head Smith
cOuntercd viciOuSly with his left iu the
region of the stomach, but Kilrain neatly
stopped it and returned tap ou Smith s
anatomy. Both men now spared cautious
ly, but soon closed and fell, Kilrain going
down under Smith.
| SOME SHARP HITTING.
Round 2-AS soon rs the men came to-
gether again, the American dashed ont
with his left hut was Cleverly stopped By
Smith, who sent his left sharply on the
body of Kllrain and the pair closed and
wrestled for fall, which again resulted
in favor of the Englishnan.
Round 3-The English party were now
iubilaut, as their man came mp smiling
Kilraip, however, again forced the fighting,
but Jem Cleverly lodged. After some fb'
bing in HIS own corner, the Euglishman
got his man down.
Round i-kilrain was first to commence
ho4tlitits, letting tly his left, which land
ed on Smiths head, hut in return he was
the recipient OF Ted hot one On the right
eye. AOme heavy counteTiIg followed.
During this the American landed a terrific
right. handler on Smiths left ear, which
narrowly escaped giving the Englishmau
his coup de grace. 1t so staggered Smith
that he
HAD GREAT nIFFICULTY
in keeping up, and he had all the worst q
it when they fell.
Round 5-It was now the Yankee 5
turn TO crow, and kilrain followed his ad
vantage, forced the pace and at once wen
in for fighting and threw his man, Smitt
going down heavily.
Round G-Smith dashed out wltA hi'
left, and go. stinger in on the head wher
the men Immediately closed and went
down.
Rounds Z and Sit WAS now NANTES
| a L